Plates and shells play an important role in structural, mechanical, aerospace and manufacturing applications. The theory of plates and shells have advanced in the past two decades to handle more complicated problems that were previously beyond reach. In this book, the most recent advances in this area of research are documented. These include topics such as thick plate and shell analyses, finite rotations of shell structures, anisotropic thick plates, dynamic analysis, and laminated composite panels. The book is divided into two parts. In Part I, emphasis is placed on the theoretical aspects of the analysis of plates and shells, while Part II deals with modern applications. Numerous eminent researchers in the various areas of plate and shell analyses have contributed to this work which pays special attention to aspects of research such as theory, dynamic analysis, and composite plates and shells.